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Hasselbald stops production of V line

SH - I agree - An affordable DB would have been a great help - something akin to the Leaf Aptus II 22mp back.
If priced at around $5-6'000.- I'm sure there would have been quite a few customers.
The CFV-50 is terrific, but has too many mp for most people - and at > $15'000, also beyond their financial realm.

Have fun with your new kit.
 
Cotton candy dreams and Unicorn wishes aren't going to make a profit for Hasselblad. While there may be a few people who would pay for a new V camera, there are so many perfectly good used ones selling at a fraction of new, it made it a no go for Hasselblad.

Also, if Hasselblad didn't stock up on 22 meg sensors, then there could never be a 22 meg CFV ... the sensor was discontinued years ago. Same for the 39 meg sensor. Now gone. Can't buy what doesn't exist ... and that includes a 56 X 56 sensor which will happen when politicians stop lying ... meaning: Never : -) So, the notion that Hasselblad conspired to protect the H line is pure nonsense ... if they wanted to protect the H line and its' future, the Loony-Toons Lunar would never have seen the light of day.

The appeal to empty fashion and flamboyance coupled with already obsolete technology is so counter to what the Brand stands for, it boggles the mind as to how something like this could have happened ... but it did. Amazon has Lunars for a mere $7,000 USD. Oddly, on the same page there was a Pentax 645D for the same price!

BTW, the H camera body isn't made of plastic ... if it was, it wouldn't weigh so much. I've used both systems for years, and saying the V is more versatile is simply mis-information, usually propagated by people who never used the H for many years to do all sorts of photography.

- Marc
 
Hi Marc

Good to hear from you.
I agree it was time to let the V go, but it was a sad day nevertheless.
Regarding lower MP CFV backs, Leaf still has their Aptuss 22 in stock, so I guess it could have been an alternative if HB really wanted.
As much as I like the new H5, it is not a system I will be investing in, as the future of HB looks quite bleak, as the management seems more interested in pimp by pic than serious tools.

Take care and enjoy your well earned retirement

S:)
 
Good to be here old friend!

I think the Aptus-II/22 (which was introduced late 2009), is still available because either Leaf stocked up on the sensor, and/or made a commitment to a certain number from the supplier. It is shared with the Mamiya branded 22 meg back (same back, different branding). Hasselblad never made a 22 meg CFV, and 22 backs ended with lower volumn H3D-II/22s. When Kodak discontinued the 22 sensor I doubt Hasselblad projected enough volume to make it practical to stock up just to make a CFV/22, and they jumped to the 39 sensor which stayed in production along with the more popular H/39 models, giving them enough volume to make it practical. Once those went bye-bye and were replaced by the 40, 50 and finally the 60 meg sensors, the CFV/39 was also discontinued once any stock was depleted. IMO, the CFV/50 remains available mostly because there is a H5D/50.

The CFV is a great back, but had it's limitations on the V camera once the sensor became a rectangle ... virtually eliminating portrait mode shooting with a camera and accessories designed for square format. The CFV back couldn't be rotated on the camera due to the design and triggering methodology. The solution could've been a rotating sensor ala Leaf, but I seriously doubt many with a 503CW would would pay what that would've cost.

It will be interesting to see if the Loony will implode Hasselblad ... The H5D may not be a compelling upgrade for H4D owners, but as a new camera, it spec's out quite well against the competition ... mostly because of the camera itself. IMO, the thing keeping Hasselblad from rack and ruin, is the fact that the Phase One camera is so universally thought as substandard in comparison. The Vaporware replacement for the Phase camera remains elusive ... time will tell.

Frankly, had I continued on with commercial photography, I would have had no qualms springing for a H5D/50 Multi-Shot. Great 50 meg single shot, and the epitome of IQ is MS mode.

- Marc

BTW, I still have a few bits and pieces of Hasselblad ... the HC-100/2.2, HTS/1.5, and a couple of extension tubes to use on my Leica S2 with H to S adapter ... But I'll probably sell those off sooner or later.
 
Marc,
If you ever want to get rid of the 100mm f2.2, let me know!
I agree - the H5 is a sexy beast - and local prices are quite attractive - if I were a working pro - it wouldn't be a question......:)
I hope looney implodes the current management..... and somebody with photographic sense buys up HB.
Cheers
S : )
 
fotografz said:
Cotton candy dreams and Unicorn wishes aren't going to make a profit for Hasselblad. While there may be a few people who would pay for a new V camera, there are so many perfectly good used ones selling at a fraction of new, it made it a no go for Hasselblad.

Also, if Hasselblad didn't stock up on 22 meg sensors, then there could never be a 22 meg CFV ... the sensor was discontinued years ago. Same for the 39 meg sensor. Now gone. Can't buy what doesn't exist ... and that includes a 56 X 56 sensor which will happen when politicians stop lying ... meaning: Never : -) So, the notion that Hasselblad conspired to protect the H line is pure nonsense ... if they wanted to protect the H line and its' future, the Loony-Toons Lunar would never have seen the light of day.

The appeal to empty fashion and flamboyance coupled with already obsolete technology is so counter to what the Brand stands for, it boggles the mind as to how something like this could have happened ... but it did. Amazon has Lunars for a mere $7,000 USD. Oddly, on the same page there was a Pentax 645D for the same price!

BTW, the H camera body isn't made of plastic ... if it was, it wouldn't weigh so much. I've used both systems for years, and saying the V is more versatile is simply mis-information, usually propagated by people who never used the H for many years to do all sorts of photography.

- Marc
Click to expand...

I haven't tried a modern H series camera (with film back) but whilst I would love to use one my problem is that most cameras cannot operate at -30C. Admittedly most NORMAL people don't do photography at night in those temperatures!:lol:

Apologies for any offence caused.:z04_Flucht:
 
Thingy said:
I haven't tried a modern H series camera (with film back) but whilst I would love to use one my problem is that most cameras cannot operate at -30C. Admittedly most NORMAL people don't do photography at night in those temperatures!:lol:

Apologies for any offence caused.:z04_Flucht:
Click to expand...

No offence:

I guess that is why Michael Kenna sticks to his V series HB.

 
The end of manufacture was inevitable. The end of using our V series Hasselblads is not, but we have to do our part by using them regularly and supporting the businesses and individuals that help us keep them going. The end will come when there is nobody to repair them or salvage and stockpile parts. That doesn't have to happen in my lifetime.
 
The end of manufacture was inevitable.
No, it was possible to do elseway. Many custumer said that and even inside of Hasselblad Leica succeed with M line and I’m not sure the S line will existe in 10years.

The end of using our V series Hasselblads is not, but we have to do our part by using them regularly and supporting the businesses and individuals that help us keep them going.
No duty for a product that does not exist. Why support Hasselblad as they made no effort since a decade for V and Xpan lines ?
 
I have to say, I am really dissapointed with Hasselblad. There are diluting the brand. Rather than focusing on what made the company respected and building on top of that, they are talking to their own customers like they are stupid. Ferrari cameras and italian design. Really?

This is the mistake that so many great companies make, thinking they have to rebrand their products with layer upon layer of gaudy veneer to make their products more attractive. I despise the Hasselblad management for this. Not because they killed the V-system, I was expecting that, but because they are diluting the Hasselblad brand and developing products, which have opposite characteristics of the qualities that Hasselblad is (was?) respected for. They will pay for this in the long term. Trading long term value creation for a short term sales increae is never a good idea.
 
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